Bangladeshi Hindus, their homes, businesses, temples targeted in continuing violence: WATCH

Bangladesh's spiralling violence is targeting its Hindus, with houses, temples and businesses belonging to the minority community that only forms 7.5 per cent of the 170 million population attacked by mobs that went on a rampage since Sheikh Hasina quit as prime minister and fled to neighbouring India earlier this week. The South Asian nation witnessed massive political developments that saw students protesting against a government job quota plan enter the prime minister's palace. An interim government has been formed since Hasina's ouster on Monday.

"The communal atrocities erupted hours before she resigned," Reuters news agency quotedBangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council general secretary Rana Dasgupta as saying. "Houses and businesses of minorities, especially Hindus, as well as temples, have been targeted, looted, damaged," he said.

Up to 300 homes, businesses, nearly 20 temples had been vandalised and 40 people were injured in the attacks, as per the organisation.

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India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday: "We are monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities."

"There are reports of initiatives by various groups and organisations to ensure their protection and well-being. We welcome that, but will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored," he said in parliament on Tuesday.

Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon said in a post on X that he was "troubled by reports of atrocities against minoritiies including Hindus" in Bangladesh.

Rahul Ananda's home burnt down, Hindu journalist killed

The Daily Star newspaper said in a report that attacks were reported in at least 27 districts during the first hours of the government's ouster.

Among the mobs' targets was the 140-year-old home ofRahul Ananda, the frontman of the folk music band Joler Gaan, whichwas burnt to the ground on Monday (Aug 5) in capital Dhaka's Dhanmondi. "As soon as they broke down the gate, they started ravaging the house, taking whatever they could find for themselves. They took everything, from furniture and mirrors to valuables. After that, they torched the whole house along with Rahul da's musical instruments," the paper quoted a family source of Rahul as saying.

Local journalist Pradip Kumar Bhowmik was attacked and killed in a mob attack on Rayganj Press Club in Sirajganj.

Temples, homes, cremation ground, families of Hindus attacked

On the same day, theDhanuka Manasa Bari temple in Shariatpur was razed to the ground by a crowd that destroyed the idols of Radha-Krishna as well as security cameras. A temple official said the mob went on to attack the homes of Hindus living nearby, but theywere saved by the army.

Five other temples, including a Kali temple in Parbatipur, were attacked too. A Hindu cremation ground inDinajpur wasvandalised.

An ISKCON temple in Meherpur in Khulna was set ablaze along with the idolsof Lord Jagannath, Baldev, and Subhadra Devi.

Hindu homes, temples or businesses were attacked inChirirbandar, Birampur, Bochaganj , Patuakhali,Barishal and Bogura. In some of these cases, the calls to attack Hindus were made on loudspeakers, the Daily Star report said.

Some Hindu local politicians and officials were targeted too. There are unconfirmed reports that two Hindu local councillors have been shot dead.

Among those who faced the brunt of the mobs wereKolapara municipal Mayor Bipul Haldar, whose home and car were set ablaze.

A mob targeted the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka.

In Hindu-dominated areas of Barishal, mobs were reportedly running around with sharp weapons. "Members of the Hindu community here are in a state of panic as their businesses, shops and homes were attacked," Daily Star quotedTapan Kumar Chakraborty, secretary of Bogura's Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, as saying.

Khaleda Zia's son appeals for calm

Tarique Rahman, the son of former PM Khaleda Zia - the arch-rival of Sheikh Hasinareleased from house arrest by the interim administration-appealed for calm. "I call upon the people of Bangladesh to display restraint and calm in the midst of this transitional moment on our democratic path," he said in a post on X. "It is our duty to protect all Bangladeshis, irrespective of religion and politics, from discriminatory violence, and not to harass any particular community, create division, or seek vengeance."

Muslims guarding Hindu temples

A report in Dhaka Tribune, meanwhile, said that in some places, Muslims are guarding Hindu temples to stave off attacking mobs. "Both Muslim and Hindu neighbours are guarding to protect the temple," it quoted a resident at Dhakeshwari National Temple as saying.

Why are angry mobs targeting Hindus?

The anger of the mobs, who are mainly supporters of Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), may be targeted at Hindus, because the minority community generally supports Hasina's Awami League party. On the other hand, the alliance led by Zia's BNPhas Islamists like the Jamaat-e-Islami, which was among those who actively participated in the protests.

“You people are descendants of the Awami League! This country is in bad shape because of you. You should leave the country,” shouted a mob at some Hindu residents, according to Avirup Sarkar, a Dhaka-based development professional, who spoke tothe BBC.

(With inputs from agencies)